I received yours of
March 12
wherein you informed me there
was 3 missionaries wanting; to send among the Indian Tribes,
and you desired me to take the Matter into consideration, to
see If I could find myself willing to undertake such a work;
I have thought much about it since then,
both Sleeping and waking,
I must confess it appears a great
undertaking, but a laudable
one for those that are qualified: may God succeed you in prosecuting
the Affair, and qualify Labourers, and Send them into the Heathen
Country, and give them the light of the knowledge of his son.
I am in
GREAT MEASURE unqualified for
such an undertaking,
for it needs the
wisdom of the serpent
mixed with the
innocence of the dove in a peculiar manner. I but lately Come out of
College, and have not Studied divinity long, and suspect my
Knowledge in divinity is not Sufficient; but If you cannot get
others, I dare not at present Say I will not undertake, for I know
that most men are backward to
undertake in that business,
God can work by weak means and oft times does that the praise
and Glory may Redound to himself. It is lamentable to see how the
Gospel is treated by it's professors, where it is freely promulgated, and
to think there are thousands that are perishing for lack of vision.
Please
Sir to inform me (by the Bearer or the first opportunity) in
these 4 Points. 1 whether the Indians Petition for missionaries,
secondly, how they treat them, and their
messages, thirdly how missionaries fare
as to shelter, food, and lodging, and fourthly how much you allow them, for I
have no money of my own to support myself
with, If the prospect
of being useful appears considerable, I feel myself favourably inclined
I am going home to see my Parents about it this week, I know not
how
to Spend time to go on a Journey now, if I do I fear I shall not
be prepared for Examination this may Coming. if you
must have a positive
answer before Election please
Sir to
tell me if not I will Give you an answer then, if you will be at
Harford, I beg Liberty being in haste to subscribe myself your